Is it safe to drive while on the Fentanyl Patch?

I have just heard about the Fentanyl Patch for the first time today. My brother is on it for his rheumatoid arthritis. I believe two patches of 75 ml. Anyway, it has caused much controversy with his ex-wife who will not let him drive with their son in the car. She has heard that it impairs your driving and is dangerous. Is this true? It seems as though many people are on it, and I can't imagine that none of you drive. Thanks for your input!

Answers (1)

well, all i can say is look at the warning label. it says use caution when operating heavy machinery, may make cause drowsiness,use care when operating a car or dangerous machinery. this is totally a judgement call. god forbid something happen when your brother is driving with his child in the car or even by himself. maybe he should get used to the meds first.

Thanks. How do you know when you are used to them? I think he has been on them for a few months. I am sure he would say that he is used to them though. I believe his ex-wife has heard that one should never drive while on the patch. Thanks for your input!

if he was my brother i would sit him down and have a serious talk with him. if he can talk to without falling into a nod. that'd when people start to close there eyes or find it hard to stay awake. ask him if he is mixing other medication with it. things like xanax, klonipin any kind of benzodiazapine. or even antidepressants. im sure you and he can come to an agreement. maybe lighten up on the patches just put one on. there are plenty of people who use the patch and act normal. if he has been on them for awhile and drives himself around, then there is no reason to believe that someone in the car is gone make a difference. there is no label that says you cannot drive. no law that says cant. if he seems responsible when he drives, i can see no reason that he souldn't.

Thanks for your insight. This is very helpful b/c we can't get really a straight answer from his doctor. My brother seems to be getting a lot of pressure about his meds b/c his life seems to be spinning out of control (he just lost his job of 20 years which we all attribute to his dependency on these drugs because they seem to affect his decision making and personality). Now that everyone is pressuring him to get off these patches, he says he will just have to go back on lortabs. Does that sound wise? He has been on all kinds of meds for pain for the last 20 years. Thanks for your responses.

I am on 12mcg/hr patches myself and although it is a lot lower dose, I don't have RA either. I have been on pain meds for a few years, and have done much research. There is no medical proof that people who take these meds on a regular basis, have any form of diminished state of mind or decision making abilities. There is also no reason why your brother can't drive either. If he has been on meds for that long, he knows what he is capable of, and I would also believe that he wouldn't do anything that would intentionally harm his children. He has RA for God's Sake! No one should be expected to live in that kind of pain without some type of medication. Sounds to me that his ex-wife is being a bit overbearing and has some issues of her own. I would say that she is using his taking this medication as an excuse to keep him from seeing his children.

Unless someone has had severe pain, which would warrant such strong medication, they really cannot say whether or not someone should be taking or driving with this type of medication. I sincerely hope this helps you! God Bless!

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